Cox Automotive Australia, in partnership with Women in Automotive, has presented the first Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year Award’ and a $5000 prize towards the winner’s personal development.
Eleni Mitakos is Australia’s first recipient, the award presented at Cox Automotive Australia’s ‘Women with Drive’ event, to celebrate International Women’s Day in Melbourne on March 8.
Mitakos founded Galmatic, an organisation which runs car maintenance workshops and school incursions for girls and since 2007 has since taught and influenced more than a million females.
Named after the late Barbara Cox who served as director of Cox Enterprises, Cox Automotive’s parent company in the USA, the award aims to recognise and reward women who demonstrate a commitment to innovation, leadership, or community within the Australian automotive industry.
The award is sponsored by Cox Automotive and Andrew Parry-Okeden, Barbara Cox’s grandson and Cox Automotive Australia non-executive director, who is the local patron.
Mitakos was selected as the winner from more than 25 nominations from all automotive industry sectors throughout the country.
“The four shortlisted ladies should be tremendously proud of their achievements,” says Cox Automotive Australia people solutions head Silvia Balovcikova.
“They all amply demonstrate the qualities we were looking for in our candidates; inspiring leadership, a commitment to innovation and contributing to their industry and their communities.”
Congratulating Mitakos, Balovcikova says the winner impressed the judging panel with her drive and commitment to empower women and teenagers to equip themselves with life skills to ensure safe vehicle practices and maintenance since she established Galmatic in 2007.
“As well as teaching students in her school programs, she also works with local councils to offer car maintenance workshops to women in the community,” Balovcikova adds.
“In conjunction with the NSW Education Department she was part of a pilot program ‘Driven to Succeed’ where Galmatic travelled through regional NSW and worked to expose regional girls to see the automotive industry as an apprenticeship option.
“Following this program there was an increase of 20% in the amount of female apprenticeships taken up within the regions. The impact Eleni has made over the last 15 years is incredible and she is a truly worthy winner of the inaugural Barbara Cox Award.”
The three finalists were Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon, Mycar Australia state manager (WA, SA, NT, TAS and ACT) Sandy Cikara, and Ventura heavy vehicle mechanic Tayla McIlwain.
Balovcikova says: “The Barbara Cox award is one way we’re showing our dedication to fairness, diversity, and inclusion in the automotive sector.”
Women in Automotive manager Dr Imogen Reid says the award “provides an opportunity to showcase the incredible but often overlooked contribution women make to the automotive industry – at all levels”.
“It is so encouraging to see the award generate so many entries in its first year and we look forward to supporting the award and seeing how it grows in future years.”
Click here for more about the award.
